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Central Luzon State University

Science City of Muñoz, 3120 Nueva Ecija, Philippines

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DEFINING STRENGTHS AND CHALLENGES, SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD A RESPONSIVE PROGRAM: A VIRTUAL SESSION WITH THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT

Dec. 12, 2021

Strategic Communication Office | SCO

The different R&D Center Directors and Heads of CLSU presented their recent activities specifically, the research results, technology transfer initiatives, and commercialization efforts in a virtual session dubbed as ‘Defining Strengths and Challenges: Seizing Opportunities to Build a Responsive Program’ on September 23, 2021, likewise, the Center’s challenges and plans in the future. This is an initiative of the Office of the University President with the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs as host. During the program, Dr. Edgar A. Orden, University President shared that the virtual session was intended to deliberately evaluate and assess the activities of the different Centers. He also emphasized the need to cascade mature technologies to the communities and to make these technologies applicable for the industries. The Directors and Heads of the different R&D Centers who presented were Dr. Gella Abella of the Institute for Climate Change and Environmental Management, Dr. Sofronio Kalaw of the Center for Tropical Mushroom Research and Development, Dr. Jonathan Galindez of the Ramon Magsaysay – Center for Agricultural Resources and Environment Studies, Mr. Neal del Rosario of the Small Ruminant Center, Dr. Marvin Cinense of the Phil-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology and the Center for Renewable Energy and Technology, Dr. Maria Excelsis Orden of the University Research Center, Dr. Jerwin Undan of the Biotechnology and Analytical Laboratory, Prof. Maria Corazon Vera Cruz of the University Extension Center, Dr. Armando Espino Jr. of the Land and Water Resources Management Center, and Dr. Emmanuel Vera Cruz of the Freshwater and Aquaculture Center. One of the common challenges that the different Centers are currently experiencing is the restrictions in R&D implementation due to pandemic likewise, the delays in the procurement process. As such, President Orden gave an assurance that this matter is being addressed as he recognize the need to continuously pushed through with R&D activities despite the pandemic. Another was the lack of a successor of some Centers thus, they were encouraged by Dr. Renato Reyes, Vice President for Academic Affairs, to train and mentor as early as now the young budding faculty researchers who have the potentials to succeed. On the other hand, President Orden also shared that Congresswoman Micaela S. Violago recently filed house bill number 9635 designating CLSU as a Research and Development Regional Zone. Under this bill, four centers will be established which will benefit a sustainable and stable financial funding, particularly “the Regional Center for the Advancement of Mushroom Research and Development, the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Resource Center, the Regional Center for Nanotechnology in Agri-fishery, and the Regional Institute for Climate Change and Environmental Management,” he added. He concluded the day challenging all the R&D Center Directors and Heads to continue providing solutions and answers to the social, economic, and agricultural problems and to be more proactive in realizing the CLSU vision of becoming a national research University. Joining also the virtual session were Dr. Rhoda Dela Rosa and Dr. Jayson Marzan from the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Mr. Ryan Esteban, Chief of the Planning Division Office, Asst. Prof. Maria Adrielle Estigoy, Chief of the Strategic Communication Office, and the faculty and staff from the different R&D Centers.

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CLSU Continually Demonstrates Commitment to Quality Education through Accreditation

With CLSU’s continuous pursuit of excellence, six of its academic programs underwent accreditation evaluation by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) from October 20 to 22, 2025. The following programs - BS Development Communication, BS Statistics, and MS Biology aimed for level IV accreditation. At the same time, the BS Psychology, BS Hospitality Management, and PhD Aquaculture, were evaluated for Level III status. Dr. Elsie M. Pacho, the Coordinator for Level IV Accreditation, lauded CLSU’s performance where she stated that as a state institution, the University’s role in shaping the region's intellectual and socioeconomic landscape is evident and commendable. "Your programs demonstrated a robust academic foundation complemented by innovative teaching methods and a sustained culture of research, community engagements, as well as international networking and linkages,” she stressed. On the other hand, Dr. Ronald M. Ramirez, represented by Dr. Eva Marie C. Avila, assured the task force that as external partners of the university, they are also committed to fostering excellence for the university to achieve its goal. “We will make a very objective assessment and make recommendations for the benefit of your programs, your colleagues, and your institution. To achieve world-class service and excellence,” Dr. Avila said. University President Dr. Evaristo A. Abella acknowledged the value of the external review, stating, "With your guidance from an outside perspective, we now know our strength and the areas that we need to improve." He also affirmed the institution's unwavering commitment to implementing the recommendations where he expressed the University’s commitment to abide by the observations of accreditors, uphold quality and integrity in the curricular offerings, strengthen systems, and maintain the standards that define CLSU. CLSU's proactive engagement with the AACCUP process underscores its dedication to maintaining high standards and evolving into a globally competitive educational institution. #SievingForExcellence

Oct. 24, 2025

CLSU, CLAARRDEC Lead Nat’l Tilapia FIESTA

The Central Luzon State University (CLSU), as the seat of the Central Luzon Agriculture, Aquatic, Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CLAARRDEC), successfully led and hosted the National Cluster Tilapia Farms and Industry Encounters through S&T Agenda (FIESTA) from October 21-23, 2025, at San Fernando City, Pampanga. The Tilapia FIESTA unfolded under the theme “From Pond to Plate: Celebrating a Sustainable Tilapia Industry,” which highlighted the collaborative efforts of scientists, researchers, farmers, aquapreneurs, and stakeholders in sustaining and strengthening the country’s tilapia sector. The keynote speaker, Mr. Florendo ‘Jon’ G. Juico, Jr., PhilTilapia National President, shared that the theme beautifully captured the heart of what they do as tilapia growers. “It reminds us that sustainability is not a one-time act but a way of life – it begins in the pond in the hands of our hardworking farmers, and it ends on the plate where families share the fruits of our labor,” he said. Tilapia FIESTA serves as a convergence of great minds, institutions, and partners with one shared goal — to strengthen and sustain the tilapia industry in the Philippines. According to Assoc. Prof. Maria Adrielle S. Estigoy, Tilapia FIESTA project leader and CLAARRDEC Science Communication Cluster Coordinator, “Tilapia FIESTA is more than just a showcase of technologies. It’s a celebration of collaboration and community. Each innovation presented here represents the hard work of our researchers and the resilience of our fisherfolk who bring tilapia from ponds to every Filipino plate.” CLSU President and CLAARRDEC RRDCC Chair Dr. Evaristo A. Abella highlighted that the event reinforces the united efforts to build a more competitive and inclusive aquaculture industry. “This historic gathering solidifies the collaboration of seven regional consortia creating a venue for researchers, aquaculture practitioners, fisherfolk, government agencies, higher education institutions, and other stakeholders who share a common goal to strengthen and sustain the tilapia industry in our country,” he said. Bringing together farmers, experts, investors, students, and industry stakeholders, the three-day celebration provided a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, business matching, and technology promotion, fostering partnerships that drive innovation and inclusivity in the tilapia value chain. Dr. Rafael Guerrero III, Academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology and an aquaculture scientist known for his pioneering work on the development of sex reversal and hatchery techniques on tilapia, served as a plenary speaker where he shared that technologies are already there, however, to be successful in the tilapia venture, he encouraged the farmers and growers to embrace the Filipino core values – pagkakaisa, pagtutulungan, pagbibigayan, pagpupursige, at pagtitiwala. One of the event’s major highlights was the Tilapia Cook Festival, which showcased tilapia as the star ingredient in a friendly cook-off. Participants from Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bohol, and Cebu proudly presented their regional delicacies, each reflecting their unique culinary flair. The festival also featured an exciting Cooking Show led by renowned chefs — Chef Jr Royol of GMA 7’s Farm to Table and Chef Hazel Anonuevo, popularly known as Hazel Cheffy, a celebrated content creator and influencer with over 3 million followers. On the final day, experts presented various tilapia technologies to the participants, showcasing innovations that advance sustainable aquaculture practices. To conclude the event, a recognition ceremony was held in honor of selected farmers and cooperatives from the seven participating regions. These awardees were acknowledged for their exemplary efforts in adopting and applying technologies developed and promoted by the different consortium member institutions, truly embodying the spirit of tilapia growers who feed the nation. Tilapia FIESTA was organized by seven regional consortia, led by CLAARRDEC with Vice President for Research and Extension Dr. Emmanuel M. Vera Cruz as Director. Partner consortia include the Visayas Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Program (ViCARP), MIMAROPA Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (MAARRDEC), Central Visayas Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CVAARRDEC), Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVAARDEC), Cagayan Valley Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (CVAARRD), and the Northern Mindanao Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (NOMCAARRD). It was also assisted by the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) Region 3 and fully supported by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD). 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